What to Know Before Choosing the Vietnam E-Visa

The Vietnam e-visa is the latest method to apply for an entry visa for tourists planning to visit the country for a holiday. At the present time, there is an option to apply for a visa in three different ways, including:

•    Visiting a local Vietnamese embassy or consulate
•    Applying online via a third-party travel agent or tour operator for a Vietnam visa on arrival
•    Getting a Vietnam e-visa which was launched in early 2017

The first visa to Vietnam application method via a Vietnamese embassy is made in person, by post, or by email, while the visa on arrival and e-visa are both applied solely online. Tourists to Vietnam can use whichever visa application method they prefer, provided they comply with the specific requirements of the chosen visa.

What is the Vietnam e-visa?
The Vietnam e-visa (referred to as electronic visa) is issued directly by the Vietnam Immigration Department to give tourists permission to enter the country for a holiday.

This particular type of visa is valid for a period of up to 30 days (non-extendable) and intended for the single-entry travel, which means the tourist plans to stay within the Vietnam borders for the duration of their stay.

The fee to apply for the e-visa is $25 which is non-refundable in the event of the visa application being rejected by the immigration department for any reason. The stated cost of the visa is the only amount to pay with no additional fees at the border/airport. Payment is possible using bank transfer, PayPal, or credit card.

What countries are allowed to use the Vietnam e-visa?
The e-visa is a viable option for citizens from 40 countries, including:

Azerbaijan, Japan, Greece, Argentina, Bulgaria, China, Italy, Philippines, Russia, Cuba, United Kingdom, Luxembourg, France, Denmark, Colombia, United States of America, Uruguay, Hungary, Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Finland, Belarus, Sweden, Romania, Peru, Armenia, Chile, Norway, Spain, Ireland, Timor Leste, Mongolia, South Korea, Myanmar, Kazakhstan, Venezuela, Panama, Brunei.

The Vietnam e-visa does exclude travellers from countries like Australia, New Zealand and Canada who will need to apply for a visa via the traditional method of visiting a Vietnamese embassy or applying online for the visa on arrival using a third-party travel agent or tour operator.

How to apply for the Vietnam e-visa?
The process to apply for the e-visa is relatively quick and straightforward. The entire application process is completed online. Firstly, there is an application form to complete which is quite similar to what tourist would complete when applying for the Vietnam visa on arrival.

The process of applying for the e-visa is completed using the following steps:

Step 1 – Complete the e-visa application form with 100% accuracy to avoid issues on arrival in the Vietnam
Step 2 – Pay the quoted fee online for processing the visa application
Step 3 – Wait to receive an email confirmation of receipt of application and provided any additional documentation/information if requested
Step 4 – Receive the actual e-visa within a period of 3-5 days. This is received by email and must be printed out
Step 5 - Travel to Vietnam and present to e-visa to the relevant authorities when entering the country

Similar to the other types of cheap Vietnam visas, travellers must hold a passport with at least 6 months remaining after arriving in Vietnam.

What is the processing time?
The time-frame to process the Vietnam e-visa is in the region of 3-5 working days. Once approved by the immigration department the visa is sent via email in PDF format which must be printed out and taken on your travels.

What are the Vietnam entry gates?
The e-visa is a quite flexible travel option with the choice to enter Vietnam via one of 28 entry gates (7 seaports, 13 international land-border gates, and 8 international airports). However, the chosen entry point must be nominated on the visa application and cannot be changed once the visa is received.

The list of entry gates includes:
International airports - Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat international airport), Nha Trang (Cam Ranh international airport), Hue (Phu Bai international airport), Phu Quoc (Phu Quoc international airport), Hai Phong (Cat Bi international airport), Hanoi (Noi Bai international airport), Danang (Danang international airport), Can Tho (Can Tho international airport),

Land-border gates - Song Tien land port (An Giang), Cha Lo land port (Quang Binh), Tinh Bien land port (An Giang), Bo Y land port (Kon Tum), Xa Mat land port (Tay Ninh), Lao Cai land port (Lao Cai), Mong Cai land port (Quang Ninh), Moc Bai landport (Tay Ninh), Lao Bao land port (Quang Tri), Ha Tien land port (Kien Giang), Huu Nghi land port (Lang Son) , Cau Treo land port (Ha Tinh), Nam Can land port (Nghe An)

Seaports – Ho Chi Minh City (Ho Chi Minh Seaport), Binh Dinh (Quy Nhon seaport), Nha Trang (Nha Trang seaport), Hai Phong (Hai Phong seaport), Quang Ninh (Hon Gai seaport), Ba Ria-Vung Tau (Vung Tau seaport), Danang (Danang seaport)

What are the benefits of Vietnam e-visa?
The Vietnam e-visa is a practical option for the tourists that plan to enter the country via a land-border or seaport because there is often no visa stamping service at these places. This Vietnam visa is certain to appeal to those that aren't easily able to reach a local Vietnam embassy, but it is still a viable option for visitors travelling by air.

Here are three of the major benefits:
•    Eliminates the need to travel in person to a local embassy or send-off original documents like the passport
•    No extra or hidden costs after paying the initial service fee for the visa
•    Eliminates the need to queue for stamping after arriving, but there may still be a short wait for identification checking